Partition construction



April 4, 1967 D. A. DEAKINS 3312;025

PARTITION CONSTRUCTION Filed May 8, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. Fl/@@ 25 15 mmfl I 'r IN V EN TOR.

D 011/440 4. ZJ/M'M/S April 4, 1967 D. A. DEAKINS 3,312,025

I PARTITION CONSTRUCTION Filed May 8, 1961 M65 4..

2 Sheets-Sheet :3

INVENTOR. 9 m 4 254mm United States Patent Office Patented Apr. 4, 1967 3,312,025 PARTITION CGNSTRUCTEON Donald A. Deakins, Gardena, Fla, assignor, by mesne assignments, to Katherine M. Grifiin, Woodinville, Wash. Filed May 8, 1961, Ser. No. 158,621

16 filairns. (Cl. 52239) This invention relates to a building partition construction consisting of a plurality of like column units, a plurality of like panel units and novel coupling means releasably securing the columns and panels in fixed relationship.

It is common practice in office buildings, and the like, to provide partitions in large areas or rooms to define one or more semi-private areas. Such partitions normally are set upon or secured to the floor and project upwardly six or seven feet, and, as a general rule, are unsupported at their tops. The ordinary partition arrangement involves two or more straight lineal runs of partition angularly disposed relative to each other and which intersect and are secured together so as to afford stability to the overall structure.

In the past, such partitions have been constructed of wood, as a general rule, and involve a plurality of vertical panel sections, the vertical side edges of which are secured to suitable columns or posts set on and projecting upwardly from the floor. This type of partition construction was and is such that while made up of modular panel sections and like columns or posts, it had to be assembled and constructed on the job site by a carpenter or skilled mechanic, and had to be suitably finished, as by a painter, to obscure and cover the fasteners employed to secure the construction together, the raw edges of the wood, and the unavoidable scars and blemishes made during construction.

In recent years, and with the increasing availability and economy of aluminum extrusions, the industry has made a transition from the use of wood in establishing office partitions, to partition constructions involving modular panels of plywood or other suitable structural pancling material with an extruded aluminum frame and supporting columns or posts made up of one or more aluminum extrusions.

While the transition between the use of wood and aluminum has been widely accepted, the manner of creating partitions has not greatly changed. That is, the partitions are still custom made on the job site and are secured together by means of Visible screw fasteners, and the like.

One of the primary shortcomings found and well recognized in the use of aluminum in such constructions resides in the fact that, while screw fasteners will initially adequately hold, they will, upon ordinary working of the parts with which they are related, work loose and pull out, becoming ineffective. Further, such fasteners can generally be put into and taken out of engagement in the thin walled aluminum extrusions two or three times only, before the openings in which they are threaded become so distorted that a suitable purchase cannot be obtained.

As a result of the above, the ordinary partition construction wherein aluminum extrusions are employed is subject to becoming loose and unsuitable, and is such that it cannot, as a general rule, be disassembled, moved, and reassembled at a new location with any assurance of establishing a firm, tight, rigid construction.

Another shortcoming in the use of aluminum extrusions in partition constructions of the general character referred to resides in the fact that aluminum is rather soft and easily scratched and, further, the extrusions having thin walls are subject to being dented and deformed.

As a result of the above, in the ordinary partition construction of the character referred to, and where screw fasteners are employed to secure the various aluminum parts together, the surfaces of the extrusions are inevitably scratched and scarred by the tools of the mechanic about the heads of the fasteners, and are generally deformed or bent in, slightly, about the heads of the fastoners, when the fasteners are made tight, with the end result that the appearance of the finished partition construction is impaired, that is, the mechanic has permanently scratched marks throughout the construction for all to see, and the fasteners have made depressions in the visible surfaces to draw the attention of the casual observer to their existence.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved panel construction established of a plurality of like panels having aluminum extrusion frames, and a plurality of like columns to support the panels and made up of a plurality of aluminum extrusions.

Another object of my invention is to provide a construction of the character referred to wherein there are no visible screw fasteners at the outer exposed surfaces of the aluminum extrusions and so that said exposed surfaces are free of and unblemished by all unsightly mechanical features and marks normally associated therewith.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel coupling means adapted to releasably secure a pair of extrusions having flat, opposing faces in tight bearing engagement with each other.

An object of this invention is to provide a coupling means of the character referred to which serves to urge and maintain the extrusions in tight relationship with each other.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a novel coupling means of the character referred to which is not visible after the coupling has been made and the structure related thereto is in position.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a coupling means of the character referred to that can be easily and conveniently positioned or adjusted, and which does not require the provision of fastener receiving openings or the engagement of fasteners through or into the walls of the extrusions with which it is related.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel column construction for use in a partition structure which includes a novel, vertically adjustable foot to facilitate vertical adjustment and leveling of the partition.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and application of my invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a portion of a partition as provided by the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a column as provided by the present invention, showing the adjust: able foot and portions of the coupling means related thereto;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the panel unit provided by the present invention, there being a portion broken away to better illustrate certain details of the construction;

FIG. 4 is a detailed sectional view of a portion of the construction indicated by the circular line 4 on FIG. 1 of the drawings;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken as indicated by line 5-5 on FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken as indicated by line 6-6 on FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken as indicated by line 77 on FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view; and

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken as indicated by line l-9 on FIG. 3.

The partition construction A provided by the present nvention includes, generally, a plurality of like, elongate, lertical disposed columns C, and a plurality of like, flat, Iertically disposed rectangular panels P fixed to and :xtending between the columns.

Each column C is shown as an elongate, vertically dis- )osed, sectional unit made up of three elongate aluminum :xtrusions, there being a central extrusion or member llti ind two like side extrusions or members 11. Each of the :xtrusions or members 1(1) and 11 are coextensive with the ongitudinal extent of the column C.

The central extrusion or member iii of the column 3 is an elongate, vertically disposed unitary structure iaving flat, vertically disposed front and rear plates 13 and 14, and a central web 15 extending between the plates. The plates have straight, vertical side edges 16.

The web 15 extends between the plates 13 and 14 and ioins the plates along a line intermediate the side edges [6 thereof.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the central extrusion or member it) of the column C is, in effect, an [-beam.

In addition to the foregoing, the plates 13 and 14 of the member It) are provided with inwardly projecting, longitudinal ribs 17 in close proximity to each side of the web 15 and extending longitudinally of the web. The ribs 17 are adapted to cooperate with the web .15 to define longitudinal grooves in which parts of a foot construction F for the columns are engaged, as will hereinafter be described.

The side extrusions or members ill are alike and each includes a flat, elongate vertically disposed body portion 18 having straight, vertically disposed edges 19, a flat, outer surface 26, and an inner surface 21.

The inner surface 21 is provided with a pair of laterally spaced, longitudinal flanges 22 and each flange is provided with a laterally, inwardly projecting, longitudinal rib 23 spaced from the body portion 18 and cooperating therewith to define a laterally, inwardly opening channel 24.

The side members 11 are engaged with the central extrusion or member It) with their vertical edge portions butted against the adjacent side edges of the plates 13 and 14 of the central member, and with the flanges 22 thereof slidably engaging the inner surfaces of the plates 13 and .14 related thereto. With this relationship of parts, it will be apparent that the side members 11 close the sides of the central member lit? and establish what is, in effect, a fabricated box section having a central vertical partition running longitudinally therethrough.

The side members 11 are releasably secured to the central member by means of a plurality of longitudinally spaced screw fasteners 25 carried by the body portions of the side members and engaged in the web of the central member 110 or other structure carried by the central section 10.

The fasteners 25 are flat head fasteners and are engaged in suitable countersunk openings 26 in the side members and are accessible from the outer surface thereof.

The foot construction F provided for the column C consists of an elongate, vertically disposed, internally threaded, tubular body 30, a pair of upwardly projecting legs 31 at the upper end of the body, an elongate externally threaded stem 32 threaded into the body at the lower end thereof to depend therefrom, a flat, horizontally disposed disc-shaped floor engaging pad 33 fixed to the lower end of the stem and a lock nut 34 carried by the stem to engage the lower end of the body. The body 3b is arranged to occur adjacent the lower end of the web 15 of the central member 10 of the column. The legs 31 project upwardly from the body to occur adjacent the opposite sides of the web 15 and are held in tight clamped engagement with the web by means of suitable screw fasteners 3-5 engaged with the legs to extend therebetween and project through suitable openings 36 provided in the web 15.

In practice, the lower end portion of the web is relieved, as at 37, so that the body 30 of the foot construction is housed within the confines of the column.

The legs 31 have straight, fiat, central portions 38 spaced from the web 15, and inclined side portions 39 which extend laterally from the central portion toward the web 17 to extend or project into the channels 17 established by the ribs 17 on the plate portions of the member 10.

With this relationship of parts, the legs establish clamping engagement with the web 15 adjacent the plate portions 13 and 14, and establish wedging engagement with the ribs 17, so that relative shifting and displacement of the legs relative to the column is prevented.

With the foot construction set forth above, it will be apparent that vertical shifting and adjustment of the column can be easily and conveniently accomplished by simply advancing or retracting the stem from the body, as circumstances require, and, further, upon proper positioning or adjustment of the foot construction, the stem can be suitably locked in position by advancing the lock nut into engagement with the body.

The panels P that I provide are simple, unitary, rectangular structures, each having a central panel portion 46 formed of a suitable structural board and a frame 41 surrounding the panel portion and made up of a plurality of like aluminum extrusions.

in the case illustrated, the central portion 4t) of each panel is made up of two sheets of Masonite or the like, and a core of honey-comb-like fibrous material fixed to and extending between the sheets.

In practice, the central portion can be of plywood,

eaver board, plastic foam, or any other suitable and desirable material.

The frame 41 about the central portion 40 of each panel is made up of four lengths or rails of aluminum extrusion, there being a top rail 43, a bottom rail 44 and side rails 45.

The several rails are alike in cross-section and each has a body portion with a fiat outer surface 46 and an inner surface 47. Inwardly projecting longitudinal flanges 48 are provided along the opposite side edges of the body portion to project inwardly from the inner surface thereof, and laterally inwardly projecting ribs 49 are provided on the flanges .2 8, spaced from the body portion and defining laterally, inwardly opening, longitudinal channels or recesses 5d at the opposite sides of the body portion. The several rails of the frame are related to their respective sides of the central panel portion id with the flanges thereon embracing the opposite surfaces of the panel portion, as clearly illustratedin the drawings.

The several rails are secured together at the corners of the frame, by means of a simple sheet metal angle bracket 51. Each bracket has one leg sl-idably engaged 1n the adjacent ends of the recess 5 in one rail and its other leg slidably engaged in the adjacent ends of the recesses 50 in the other or adjacent rail. Each leg of the bracket is provided with and carries a suitable screw fastener 52 to engage the inner surface 47 of the body portion of the rail related thereto. The fasteners 52 serve to urge the legs of the bracket into tight clamped engagement with the ribs 49 related thereto when the screw is advanced into engagement with the body portion, thereby securing the bracket to the rail in fixed position (see FIGS. 3 and 8 of the drawings).

It will be apparent that, with the form of construction set forth above, no screw fasteners need be engaged through or into the extrusions, which are of aluminum and which will not advantageously receive such screw fasteners.

The panels P that I provide are releasably secured to the columns C with the outer surfaces 46 of the side rails of the panels in flat bearing engagement with the outer surfaces of the side members 18 of the column, by means of a plurality of longitudinally spaced, novel, releasable coupling means M.

Each releasable coupling means M that I provide in cludes a pair of registering, elongate, rectangular openings in the opposing surfaces 46 and 20 of the rail and side member of the column C with which the coupling means is related, a block 61 carried by the rail to occur adjacent the inner surface thereof and having a downwardly and outwardly inclined tab s2 projecting therefrom and through the opening 60, a block 63 carried by the side member of the column C to occur adjacent the inner surface 21 thereof, and having an upwardly and outwardly inclined tab 64 projecting therefrom and through the opening at) related thereto.

The blocks 61 and 63 are simple, rectangular plates of sheet metal, and are of sufficient lateral extent so that their vertical side edge portions slidably engage in the laterally inwardly opening recesses 5d and 24 established by the ribs 49 and 23 on the said rails and members.

The blocks 61 and 63 are provided with one or more threaded openings in which suitable screw fasteners are engaged, which fasteners are adapted to project through the plates and engage the inner opposing surfaces of the parts with which the blocks are related. With this relationship of parts, it will be apparent that by ad vancing the screw fasteners 65 into pressure engagement against the said inner opposing surfaces, the blocks are urged inwardly and away from the said surfaces and their side portions are urged into pressure engagement with the ribs defining the recesses tit) and 2. 3.

It will be apparent that with the above manner of mounting and anchoring the blocks of the coupling means, no screw fasteners, or the like, need be engaged through the aluminum extrusions; the blocks are suitably guided in the opposing recesses with which they are related so that they are not subject to becoming misaligned; and, finally, the blocks can be easily and conveniently adjusted longitudinally of the rails or members, as circumstances require.

The tabs 62 and at on the blocks 61 and 63 are simple, elongate strips of spring steel, or the like, and are secured to the blocks, as by spot welding.

The tabs 62 and 6d are slightly less in lateral extent than the openings 6t) through which they project, so that while they project freely through the said openings d9, the vertical side edges of the openings serve to guide the tabs and prevent lateral displacement of the rail and column members, as will be apparent from the following.

The downwardly extending tabs 62 on the block 61 projects from the outer surface 46 of the rail 45 with which it is related to slidably engage the inwardly disposed side or surface of the upwardly extending, inclined tab 64 on the block .53 related thereto and carried by the column member 18. The tab 62 projects through the opening 6th in the member 18, which opening serves to direct or guide the tab 62 and thereby guide the rail and the panel into alignment with the column.

The tab 64 on the block 63 slidably engages the inner surface of the downwardly directed tab 62 and projects through the opening 6ft in the rail 45 to be guided thereby in the same manner as the tab 62 and as set forth above.

With the above relationship of parts, it will be apparent that by initially engaging the end portions of the related tabs 62 and at, which project outwardly from the outer surfaces 4'6 and 2d of the rails 45 and column members 18 with which they are related, and then shifting the panels downwardly relative to the columns, the tabs 62 and 64 of the several coupling means serve to draw the panels and columns toward each other, and the surfaces 46 and 20 of the rails and side members into flat bearing engagement with each other. Further, as the tabs slide into engagement with each other their end portions slidably enter the openings 60 in the opposing rails or members and thereby serve to guide the panels and rails into proper alignment and to maintain them in such alignment.

It is to be noted that the wedging action between the tabs 64 and 62 tends to draw the blocks toward each other, that is, toward the inner surfaces of the rails and column members with which they are related. This is extremely important since it resutls in a construction wherein the major forces encountered are directed toward each other and establish a tight coupling. The forces are not directed inwardly through the blocks and onto the rails establishing the channel or grooves in which the blocks are engaged.

In light of the foregoing, it will be apparent that the engagement of the edge portions of the blocks in the grooves related thereto, and engagement of the screw fasteners on the body portions of the rails or column members need only be sufficient to prevent longitudinal shifting of the blocks relative to their supporting structures when the coupling means is made up. That is, the coupling means for the individual blocks does not carry or support the primary load transmitted through the coupling means.

With the coupling means M that I provide and which has been described above, it will be apparent that a plurality of panels and columns P and C, as provided by the present invention, can be easily and quickly assembled to establish a rigid, tight assembly which is not subject to working and becoming loose and rickety, but, on the contrary, due to the wedging act-ion afforded by the coupling means, can only become tighter and more snug upon working of the various components of the panel or partition construction.

It will be further apparent that no scretw fasteners are visible in the complete partition construction that I provide. The heads of the fasteners 25 of the column assembly occur at the outer surface 20 of the member 18 and are covered and obscured by the rails 45 of the panels P when the construction is completely assembled.

It will also be apparent that if and when it is desired to move the partition construction, the construction can be easily disassembled by simply shifting the panels from engagement with the columns. Such operation requires no special tools, nor any other operations which might adversely affect the panel or column units and keep them from being reassembled in a manner to establish a tight, snug, or rigid partition construction.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any modifications or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the following claims:

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A partition of the character referred to including a plurality of longitudinally spaced vertical columns, a vertically disposed panel between adjacent columns and releasable coupling means securing the panels and columns together, said coupling means including registerinrg openings in the opposing surfaces of the panels and columns, an elongate tab mounted within the column and inclined to project upwardly and outwardly through the opening in the column and into the opening in the panel, and an elongated tab mounted within the panel and inclined to project downwardly and outwardly through the opening in the panel and into the opening in the column, the downwardly disposed inclined surface of the tab carried by the panel establishing sliding, wed-ging engagement with the upwardly disposed inclined surface of the tab carried by the column.

2. A partition of the character referred to including a plurality of longitudinally spaced vertical columns, a vertically disposed panel between adjacent columns and raving vertical ends arranged adjacent the columns reated thereto, and a plurality of like releasable coupling neans spaced along the vertical ends of the panel and ecuring the panels and columns together, said coupling neans including registering openings in the opposing sur- ?aces of the panels and columns, an elongate tab mounted vithin the column and inclined to project upwardly and )utwardly through the opening in the column and into he opening in the panel, and an elongate tab mounted vith-in the panel and inclined to project downwardly and iutwardly through the opening in the panel and into the )pening in the column, the downwardly disposed inclined iurface of the tab carried by the panel establishing slidng, wedging engagement with the upwardly disposed in- :lined surface of the tab carried by the column.

3. A partition of the character referred to including a glurality of longitudinally spaced vertical columns, a vertically disposed panel between adjacent columns and releasable coupling means securing the panel and columns ;ogether, said coupling means including registering openings in the opposing surf-aces of the panels and columns, an elongate tab mounted within the column and inclined to project upwardly and outward-1y through the opening in the column and into the opening in the panel, and an elongate tab mounted within the panel and inclined to project dowwardly and outwardly through the opening in the panel and into the opening in the column, the downwardly disposed inclined surface of the tab carried by the panel establishing sliding, wedging engagement with the upwardly disposed inc-lined surface of the tab carried by the column, and a vertically adjustable floorengaging foot at the lower end of each column to vary the vertical positioning of the column for proper orientation of the openings of the coupling means and including, a vertically disposed tubular body fixed to the lower end of the column, a stem threaded into the body to depend therefrom, and a horizontally disposed pad fixed to the lower end of the stern.

4. A partition of the character referred to including a plurality of longitudinally spaced vertical columns, a vertically disposed panel between adjacent columns and having vertical ends arranged adjacent the columns related thereto, and a plurality of like releasable coupling means spaced along the vertical ends of the panel and securing the panels and columns together, said coupling means including registering openings in the opposing surfaces of the panels and columns, an elongate tab mounted within the column and inclined to project upwardly and outwardly through the opening in the column and into the opening in the panel, and an elongate tab mounted within the panel and inclined to project downwardly and outwardly through the opening in the panel and into the opening in the column, the downwardly disposed inclined surface of the tab carried by the panel establishing sliding, wedging engagement with the upwardly disposed inclined surface of the tab carried by the column, and a vertically adjustable floor-engaging foot at the lower end of each column to vary the vertical positioning of the column for proper orientation of the openings of the coupling means and including, a vertically disposed tubular body fixed to the lower end of the column, a stem threaded into the body to depend therefrom, and a horizontally disposed pad fixed to the lower end of the stem.

5. A partition of the character referred to including a plurality of like longitudinally spaced vertically disposed tubular columns with vertically disposed sides having flat outer surfaces, a panel positioned between each pair of adjacent columns and having a frame with vertically disposed ends having flat outer surfaces arranged adjacent to and opposing the outer surfaces on the sides of the column adjacent thereto, and releasable coupling means securing the panels and the columns together and including a pair of registering openings in each adjacent side and end of the columns and panel frames, a block adjacent each opening in the panel frames secured to the inner surfaces of the rrame, a flat downwardfy and outwardly inclined tab on the block projecting through the opening in the frame and into the opening in the column related thereto, a second block secured to the interior of the column adjacent the opening in the side thereof and having a flat upwardly inclined tab projecting therefrom through the opening in the column and into the opening in the panel frame related thereto, the downwardly disposed inclined surface of the tab carried by the frame establishing sliding wecging engagement with the up wardiy disposed inclined surface on the tab carried by the column.

6. A partition of the character referred to including a plurality of like longitudinally spaced vertically disposed tubular columns with vertically disposed sides having flat outer surfaces, a panel positioned between each pair of adjacent columns and having a frame with vertically disposed ends having flat outer surfaces arranged to and opposing the outer surfaces on the sides of the column adjacent therto, and releasable coupling means securing the panels and the columns together and including a pair of registering openings in each adjacent side and end of the columns and panel frames, a block adjacent each opening in the panel frames secured to the inner surface of the frame, a flat downwardly and outwardly inclined tab on the block projecting through the opening in the frame and into the opening in the column related thereto, a second block secured to the interior of the column adjacent the opening in the side thereof and having a flat upwardly inclined tab projecting therefrom through the opening in the column and into the opening in the panel frame related thereto, the downwardly disposed inclined surface of the tab carried by the frame establishing sliding wedging engagement with the upwardly disposed inclined surface on the tab carried by the column, the opening in the column guiding the tab carried by the frame and the opening in the frame guiding the tab carried by the column whereby said column and panel frame are directed and maintained in alignment.

7. A partition of the character referred to including a plurality of like longitudinally spaced vertically disposed tubular columns with vertically disposed sides having flat inner and outer surfaces, a panel positioned between each pair of adjacent columns and having a frame with vertically disposed ends having fiat inner and outer surfaces arranged adjacent the columns with the outer surfaces thereof in flat bearing engagement with each other, and releasable coupling means securing the panels and the columns together and including a pair of registering openings in each adjacent side and end of the columns and panel frames, a block adjacent each opening in the panel frames secured to the inner surface of the frame, a fiat downwardly and outwardly inclined tab on the block projecting through the opening in the frame and into the opening in the column related thereto, a second block secured to the interior of the column adjacent the inner surface of the side thereof and adjacent the opening in the side thereof and having a flat upwardly inclined tab projecting therefrom through the opening in the column and into the opening in the panel frame related thereto, the downwardly disposed inclined surface of the tab carried by the frame establishing sliding wedging engagement with the upwardly disposed inclined surface on the tab carried by the column.

8. A partition of the character referred to including a plurality of like longitudinally spaced vertically disposed tubular columns with vertically disposed sides having flat inner and outer surfaces, a panel positioned between each pair of adjacent columns and having a frame with vertically disposed ends having fiat inner and outer surfaces arranged adjacent the columns with the outer surfaces thereof in flat bearing engagement with each other, and releasable coupling means securing the panels and the columns together and including a pair of registering openings in each adjacent side and end of the columns and panel frames, a block adjacent each opening in the panel frames secured to the inner surface of the frame, a fiat downwardly and outwardly inclined tab on the block projecting through the opening in the frame and into the opening in the column related thereto, a second block secured to the interior of the column adjacent the inner surface of the side thereof and adjacent the opening in the side thereof and having a flat upwardly inclined tab projecting therefrom through the opening in the column and into the opening in the panel frame related thereto, the downwardly disposed inclined surface of the tab carried by the frame establishing sliding wedging engagement with the upwardly disposed inclined surface on the tab carried by the column, the opening in the column guiding the tab carried by the frame and the opening in the frame guiding the tab carried by the column whereby said column and panel frame are directed and maintained in alignment.

9. A partition of the character referred to including a plurality of like longitudinally spaced vertically disposed tubular columns with vertically disposed sides having flat inner and outer surfaces, and a pair of laterally spaced opposing channels in the column adjacent the inner surface of each side thereof, a panel positioned between each pair of adjacent columns and having a frame with ver tically disposed ends having fiat inner and outer surfaces arranged adjacent the columns with the outer surfaces thereof in flat bearing engagement with each other, each side of the frame having a pair of laterally spaced opposing channels adjacent the inner surface thereof, and releasable coupling means securing the panels and the columns together and including a pair of registering openings in each adjacent side and end of the columns and panel frames to occur between the channels related thereto, a block adjacent each opening in the panel frames having edge portions engaged in the channels related thereto, a screw fastener carried by the block to engage the inner surface of the frame and bias the block in the channels, a flat downwardly and outwardly inclined tab on the block projecting through the opening in the frame and into the opening in the column related thereto, a second block having edge portions engaged in the channels related thereto, a screw fastener carried by the block to engage the inner surface of the side and adjacent the opening in the side and bias the block in the channels, and a flat upwardly inclined tab projecting therefrom through the opening in the column and into the opening in the panel frame related thereto, the downwardly disposed inclined surface of the tab carried by the frame establishing sliding wedging engagement with the upwardly disposed inclined surface on the tab carried by the column.

If). A partition of the character referred to including a plurality of like longitudinally spaced vertically disposed tubular columns with vertically disposed sides having flat inner and outer surfaces, and a pair of laterally spaced opposing channels in the column adjacent the inner surface of each side thereof, a panel positioned between each pair of adjacent columns and having a frame with vertically disposed ends having flat inner and outer surfaces arranged adjacent the columns with the outer surfaces thereof in flat bearing engagement with each other, each side of the frame having a pair of laterally sp aced opposing channels adjacent the inner surface thereof, and releasable coupling means securing the panels and the columns together and including a pair of registering openings in each adjacent side and end of the columns and panel frames to occur between the channels related thereto, a block adjacent each opening in the panel frames having edge portions engaged in the channels related thereto, a screw fastener carried by the block to engage the inner surface of the frame and bias the block in the channels, a fiat downwardly and outwardly inclined tab on the block projecting through the opening in the frame and into the opening in the column related thereto, a second block having edge portions engaged in the channels related thereto, a screw fastener carried by the block to engage the inner surface of the side and adjacent the opening in the side and bias the block in the channels, and a flat upwardly inclined tab projecting therefrom through the opening in the column and into the opening in the panel frame related thereto, the downwardly disposed inclined surface of the tab carried by the frame establishing sliding wedging engagement with the upwardly disposed inclined surface on the tab carried by the column, the opening in the column guiding the tab carried by the frame and the opening in the frame guiding the tab carried by the column whereby said column and panel frame are directed and maintained in alignment.

11. A partition of the character referred to including a plurality of like longitudinally spaced vertically disposed tubular columns with vertically disposed sides having flat outer surfaces, a panel positioned between each pair of adjacent columns and having a frame with vertically disposed ends having fiat outer surfaces ar' ranged adjacent to and opposing the outer surfaces on the sides of the column adjacent thereto, and releasable coupling means securing the panel and the columns together and including a pair of registering openings in each adjacent side and end of the columns and panel frames, a block adjacent each opening in the panel frames secured to the inner surface of the frame, a fiat downwardly and outwardly inclined tab on the block projecting through the opening in the frame and into the opening in the column related thereto, a second block secured to the interior of the column adjacent the opening in the side thereof and having a fiat upwardly inclined tab projecting therefrom through the opening in the column and into the opening in the panel frame related thereto, the downwardly disposed inclined surface of the tab carried by the frame establishing sliding wedging engagement with the upwardly disposed inclined surface on the tab carried by the column, said columns having central vertical webs and having vertically adjustable feet to provide for vertical positioning of the columns and orientation of the openings of the coupling means and including, an elongate vertically disposed tubular body at the lower end of each column, a pair of laterally spaced vertical legs fixed to and projecting upwardly from the body at opp0- side sides of the web, screw fasteners extending between the legs and through the web holding the legs in tight clamped engagement on the web, an elongate vertically disposed stern threaded into the body depending therefrom, a lock nut on the stem engaging the lower end of the body and a flat horizontally disposed floor-engaging pad fixed to the lower end of the stem.

12. A partition of the character referred to including a plurality of like longitudinally spaced vertically dis posed tubular columns with vertically disposed sides having flat inner and outer surfaces, a panel positioned between each pair of adjacent columns and having a frame with vertically disposed ends having flat inner and outer surfaces arranged adjacent the columns with the outer surfaces thereof in flat bearing engagement with each other, and releasable coupling means securing the panel and the columns together and including a pair of registering openings in each adjacent side and end of the columns and panel frames, a block adjacent each opening in the panel frames secured to the inner surface of the frame, a flat downwardly and outwardly inclined tab on the block projecting through the opening in the frame and into the opening in the column related thereto, a second block secured to the interior of the column adjacent the inner surface of the side thereof and adjacent the opening in the side thereof and having a flat upwardly inclined tab projecting therefrom through the opening in the column and into the opening in the panel frame related thereto, the downlardly disposed inclined surface of the tab carried by he frame establishing sliding wedging engament with he upwardly disposed inclined surface on the tab carried y the column, the opening in the column guiding the ab carried by the frame and the opening in the frame guiding the tab carried by the column whereby said collmn and panel frame are directed and maintained in llignment, said columns having central vertical webs and raving vertically adjustable feet to provide for vertical aositioning of the columns and orientation of the openngs of the coupling means and including, an elongate ertically disposed tubular body at the lower end of each :olumn, a pair of laterally spaced vertical legs fixed to 1nd projecting upwardly from the body at opposite sides )f the web, screw fasteners extending between the legs and through the web holding the legs in tight clamped :ngagement on the web, an elongate vertically disposed item threaded into the body depending therefrom, a lock tut on the stem engaging the lower end of the body and 1 flat horizontally disposed floor-engaging pad fixed to ;he lower end of the stem.

13. A partition of the character referred to including a. plurality of like longitudinally spaced vertically disposed tubular columns with vertically disposed sides having fiat inner and outer surfaces, and a pair of laterally spaced opposing channels in the column adiacent the inner surface of each side thereof, a panel positioned between each pair of adjacent columns and having a frame with vertically disposed ends having fiat inner and outer surfaces arranged adjacent the columns with the outer surfaces thereof in fiat bearing engagement with each other, each side of the frame having a pair of laterally spaced opposing channels adjacent the inner surface thereof, and releasable coupling means securing the panel and the columns together and including a pair of registering openings in each adjacent side and end of the columns and panel frames to occur between the channels related thereto, a block adjacent each opening in the panel frames having edge portions engaged in the channels related thereto, a screw fastener carried by the block engaging the inner surface of the frame and bias the block in the channels, a flat downwardly and outwardly inclined tab on the block projecting through the opening in the frame and into the opening in the column related thereto, a second block having edge portions engaged in the channels related thereto, a screw fastener carried by the block engaging the inner surface of the side and adjacent the opening in the side and bias the block in the channels, and a flat upwardly inclined tab projecting therefrom through the opening in the column and into the opening in the panel frame related thereto, the downwardly disposed inclined surface of the tab carried by the frame establishing sliding wedging engagement with the upwardly disposed inclined surface on the tab carried by the column, said columns having central vertical webs and having vertically adjustable feet providing for vertical positioning of the columns and orientation of the openings of the coupling means and including, an elongate vertically disposed tubular body at the lower end of each column, a pair of laterally spaced vertical legs fixed to and projecting upwardly from the body at opposite sides of the web, screw fasteners extending between the legs and through the web holding the legs in tight clamped engagement on the web, an elongate vertically disposed stern threaded into the body depending therefrom, a lock nut on the stem engaging the lower end of the body and a flat horizontally disposed floor-engaging pad fixed to the lower end of the stem.

14. A partition of the character referred to including a plurality of juxtapositioned partition members, a vertically disposed first partition member between adjacent second partition members and releasable coupling means securing together the partition members, said coupling means including registering openings in the opposing surfaces of the partition members, an elongate tab mounted within the second partition member and inclined to project upwardly and outwardly through the opening in the second partition member and into the opening in the first partition member, and an elongate tab mounted within the first partition member and inclined to project downwardly and outwardly through the opening in the first partition member and into the opening in the second partition member, the downwardly disposed inclined surface of the tab carried by the first partition member establishing sliding, wedging engagement with the upwardly disposed inclined surface of the tab carried by the second partition member.

15. A partition of the character referred to including a plurality of juxtapositioned partition members, a vertically disposed first partition member between adjacent second partition members and having vertical ends arranged adjacent the second partition members related thereto, and a plurality of like releasable coupling means spaced along the vertical ends of the first partition mem ber and securing together the partition members, said coupling means including registering openings in the op posing surfaces of the partition members, an elongate tab mounted within the second partition member and inclined to project upwardly and outwardly through the opening in the second partition member and into the opening in the first partition member, and an elongate tab mounted within the first partition member and inclined to project downwardly and outwardly through the opening in the first partition member and into the opening in the second partition member, the downwardly disposed inclined surface of the tab carried by the first partition member establishing sliding, wedging engagement with the upwardly disposed inclined surface of the tab carried by the second partition member.

16. A partition of the character referred to including a plurality of like longitudinally spaced vertically disposed second partition members with vertically disposed sides having fiat inner and outer surfaces, and a pair of laterally spaced opposing channels in the second partition member adjacent the inner surface of each side thereof, a first partition member positioned between each pair of adjacent second partition members and having a frame with vertically disposed ends having fiat inner and outer surfaces arranged adjacent the second partition members with the outer surfaces thereof in flat bearing engagement with each other, each side of the frame having a pair of laterally spaced opposing channels adjacent the inner surface thereof, and releasable coupling means securing the first partition members and the second partition members together and including a pair of registering openings in each adjacent side and end of the second partition members and first partition members frames to occur between the channels related thereto, a block adjacent each opening in the first partition members frames having edge portions engaged in the channels related thereto, a screw fastener carried by the block engaging the inner surface of the frame and bias the block in the channels, a flat downwardly and outwardly inclined tab on the block projecting through the opening in the frame and into the opening in the second partition member related thereto, a second block having edge portions engaged in the channels related thereto, a screw fastener carried by the block engaging the inner surface of the side and adjacent the opening in the side and bias the block in the channels, and a fiat upwardly inclined tab projecting therefrom through the opening in the second partition member and into the opening in the first partition member frame related thereto, the downwardly disposed inclined surface of the tab carried by the frame establishing sliding wedging engagement with the upwardly disposed inclined surface on the tab carried by the second partition member, said second partition members having central vertical webs and having vertically adjustable feet providing for rtical positioning of the second partition members and References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,686,699 8/1954 Davis et a1 l89-36 2,863,532 12/1958 French 189-34 2,970,677 2/1961 Springs et al. 189-34 14 8/196] Zimmerla 189-34 9/1961 Ludwig et al. 189-36 X 3/1962 Pollock et a1. 18934 6/1963 Young 18934 FOREIGN PATENTS 3/ 1926 Austria. 7/ 1949 Switzerland.

10 FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner.

CORNELIUS D. ANGEL, HENRY C. SUTHERLAND,

Examiners.

W. L. SHEDD, C. G. MUELLER, Assistant Examiners. 

13. A PARTITION OF THE CHARACTER REFERRED TO INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF LIKE LONGITUDINALLY SPACED VERTICALLY DISPOSED TUBULAR COLUMNS WITH VERTICALLY DISPOSED SIDES HAVING FLAT INNER AND OUTER SURFACES, AND A PAIR OF LATERALLY SPACED OPPOSING CHANNELS IN THE COLUMN ADJACENT THE INNER SURFACE OF EACH SIDE THEREOF, A PANEL POSITIONED BETWEEN EACH PAIR OF ADJACENT COLUMNS AND HAVING A FRAME WITH VERTICALLY DISPOSED ENDS HAVING FLAT INNER AND OUTER SURFACES ARRANGED ADJACENT THE COLUMNS WITH THE OUTER SURFACES THEREOF IN FLAT BEARING ENGAGEMENT WITH EACH OTHER, EACH SIDE OF THE FRAME HAVING A A PAIR OF LATERALLY SPACED OPPOSING CHANNELS ADJACENT THE INNER SURFACE THEREOF, AND RELEASABLE COUPLING MEANS SECURING THE PANEL AND THE COLUMNS TOGETHER AND INCLUDING A PAIR OF REGISTERING OPENINGS IN EACH ADJACENT SIDE AND END OF THE COLUMNS AND PANEL FRAMES TO OCCUR BETWEEN THE CHANNELS RELATED THERETO, A BLOCK ADJACENT EACH OPENING IN THE PANEL FRAMES HAVING EDGE PORTIONS ENGAGED IN THE CHANNELS RELATED THERETO, A SCREW FASTENER CARRIED BY THE BLOCK ENGAGING THE INNER SURFACE OF THE FRAME AND BIAS THE BLOCK IN THE CHANNELS, A FLAT DOWNWARDLY AND OUTWARDLY INCLINED TAB ON THE BLOCK PROJECTING THROUGH THE OPENING IN THE FRAME AND INTO THE OPENING IN THE COLUMN RELATED THERETO, A SECOND BLOCK HAVING EDGE PORTIONS ENGAGED IN THE CHANNELS RELATED THERETO, A SCREW FASTENER CARRIED BY THE BLOCK ENGAGING THE INNER SURFACE OF THE SIDE AND ADJACENT THE OPENING IN THE SIDE AND BIAS THE BLOCK IN THE CHANNELS, AND A FLAT UPWARDLY INCLINED TAB PROJECTING THEREFROM THROUGH THE OPENING IN THE COLUMN AND INTO THE OPENING IN THE PANEL FRAME RELATED THERETO, THE DOWNWARDLY DISPOSED INCLINED SURFACE OF THE TAB CARRIED BY THE FRAME ESTABLISHING SLIDING WEDGING ENGAGEMENT WITH THE UPWARDLY DISPOSED INCLINED SURFACE ON THE TAB CARRIED BY THE COLUMN, SAID COLUMNS HAVING CENTRAL VERTICAL WEBS AND HAVING VERTICALLY ADJUSTABLE FEET PROVIDING FOR VERTICAL POSITIONING OF THE COLUMNS AND ORIENTATION OF THE OPENINGS OF THE COUPLING MEANS AND INCLUDING, AN ELONGATE VERTICALLY DISPOSED TUBULAR BODY AT THE LOWER END OF EACH COLUMN, A PAIR OF LATERALLY SPACED VERTICAL LEGS FIXED TO AND PROJECTING UPWARDLY FROM THE BODY AT OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE WEB, SCREW FASTENERS EXTENDING BETWEEN THE LEGS AND THROUGH THE WEB HOLDING THE LEGS IN TIGHT CLAMPED ENGAGEMENT ON THE WEB, AN ELONGATE VERTICALLY DISPOSED STEM THREADED INTO THE BODY DEPENDING THEREFROM, A LOCK NUT ON THE STEM ENGAGING THE LOWER END OF THE BODY AND A FLAT HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED FLOOR-ENGAGING PAD FIXED TO THE LOWER END OF THE STEM. 